Harvest progress was slowed during the week due to rain showers across most of the state, according to the Indiana Field Office of USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture has been recharged in many areas, but the subsoil remains mostly dry as field tiles are still not running. There have been some reports of aflatoxin and other molds in the corn crop. Soybean fields have been rapidly changing color and shedding leaves. Final cuttings of hay have been slow to cure due to frequent rains and heavy dew. Pasture condition continues to improve as grasses respond to the recent rains.
FIELD CROPS REPORT
There were 4.6 days suitable for field work during the week. Ninety-one percent of the corn acreage is in the dent stage compared to 68 percent last year and 73 percent for the 5-year average. Forty-seven percent of the corn acreage is mature compared to 19 percent last year and 27 percent for the 5-year average. Nine percent of the corn acreage has been harvested compared to 1 percent last year and 3 percent for the 5-year average. Corn condition is rated 9 percent good to excellent compared with 34 percent last year at this time.
Forty-one percent of the soybean acreage is shedding leaves compared to 18 percent last year and 28 percent for the 5-year average. One percent of the soybean acreage has been harvested which was unchanged from last week. This compares to 0 percent last year and 1 percent for the 5-year average. Soybean condition is now rated 24 percent good to excellent compared with 41 percent last year at this time.
LIVESTOCK, PASTURE AND RANGE REPORT
Livestock remain in mostly good condition. Pasture condition continued to improve and is rated 13 percent good to excellent compared with 11 percent last year at this time. Third cutting of alfalfa hay is 93 percent complete compared with 93 percent last year and 92 percent for the 5-year average.
Source: Indiana NASS